PARENT'S PERCEPTION TOWARDS CHILDREN'S SOCIAL MEDIA

USAGE

Research by:

Espinosa, Ava Jane

Araquil, Dheanera
Mananes, Nica
Del Castillo, Andrie
Tiangson, Stephen John

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 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

With the rapid integration of social media into daily

life, children and adolescents are increasingly engaging

with platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. This

increased use has led to growing concerns among parents

regarding the potential impacts on their children's mental

health, social development, privacy, and exposure to

inappropriate content. Parental perception towards their

children’s social media usage is a key factor influencing

how they regulate and mediate this usage.

Children are some of the most vulnerable users within social

media networks. The role that parents play in monitoring and

guiding their children's activities online thus becomes very

critical.

The children became very critical because of the different

circumstances including the cancel culture that made the

children harmful on the social media usage. Parents are

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therefore required to maintain an equilibrium between giving

their children freedom to explore the digital world and

child safety. All these perceptions, attitudes, and their

actions regarding the children's social media usage will

determine the consequences on the child's overall well-being

and behavior concerning their online activities.

Several studies from 2020 to 2023 have explored how parents

perceive their children’s social media usage. (Coyne et al.

2020) found that parents express significant concerns about

social media's impact on their children’s mental health.

Their study indicated that 67% of parents are worried about

social media addiction, while 68% believe it negatively

affects their teen’s ability to socialize. Coyne and

colleagues also noted that while parents view social media

as a necessary part of modern communication, they are wary

of its addictive properties and potential exposure to

inappropriate content.

In conclusion, the parent's perceptions in social media are

complex, shaped by a combination of societal concerns,

personal experiences, and knowledge of the digital world.

This research aims to explore these different perceptions

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more deeply and understand how social media translates their

understanding.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The pervasiveness of social media in modern society has

significantly impacted the lives of children and

adolescents. While social media offers numerous benefits,

such as connecting with friends and family, accessing

information, and engaging in educational activities, it also

presents potential risks and challenges, particularly

concerning its impact on young users' mental health, well-

being, and development.

This research aims to investigate the complex relationship

between parents' perceptions and their children's social

media usage.

1. How do parents balance their desire to protect their

children from online risks with their need to foster

independence and autonomy?

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2. What factors, such as their children's age and maturity

level, concerns about online safety, cyberbullying, and

mental health, contribute to parents' perceptions of social

media?

3. Do parents' concerns about social media negatively impact

their children's mental health and well-being?

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The researcher believes that this study will greatly

benefit:

The Student. The Students can learn about the expectations

and concerns their parents have regarding their social media

use. This knowledge can help them understand the reasons

behind parental rules and guidelines, fostering a sense of

mutual respect and collaboration.

The Teachers.Teachers can use research findings to develop

strategies for working with parents to promote responsible

social media use and address concerns about online safety

and cyberbullying. This can create a more supportive and

collaborative environment for students' digital well-being.

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The Parent. This research can help parents understand their

children's perspectives on social media and the reasons

behind their online behavior. This can foster a sense of

trust and mutual respect, making it easier for parents to

engage in meaningful conversations with their children.

The Future Researcher. This research can help identify key

variables that influence children's social media use, such

as parental monitoring, communication styles, and family

rules. These variables can then be further explored in

subsequent studies to understand their impact on children's

online experiences.

SCOPE AND DELIMITATIONS

This research aims to explore the multifaceted landscape

of parent perception towards their children's social media

usage. The scope of this study encompasses a comprehensive

understanding of parental attitudes, beliefs, and practices

related to their children's online activities. It includes

the reasons behind these perceptions, the impact of social

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media on parent-child relationships, and the potential

influence of parental perceptions on children's digital

well-being. The research will be done using the survey and

interview with parents to collect qualitative data regarding

the different perceptions and strategy.

Definition Of Terms

Adolescents - This refers to young individuals, typically

aged 10 to 19, who engage with social media platforms as

part of their social development, impacting how parents view

their online activities.

Concerns - This reference to the issues that parents may

have regarding their children's social media usage,

including potential risks such as exposure to harmful

content, privacy concerns, and the impact on mental health.

Cyberbullying - This refers a significant worry for

parents, referring to online harassment that their children

may face or engage in on social media, influencing their

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perceptions of its safety and effects on their child’s well-

being.

Develop - This refers as a process through which

adolescents grow and learn through their interactions on

social media, which parents may view as beneficial or

detrimental depending on the content and context.

Diverse - This refers as the varied backgrounds and

experiences of adolescents that shape how they use social

media; parents may perceive these differences in usage

patterns and associated risks or benefits.

Foster - This is refers to promoting the growth or

development of something. In a different context, especially

in social services, "foster" relates to the care of children

or animals by individuals who are not their biological

parents or owners, usually temporarily.

Nuanced - This is refers to something that has subtle

differences or variations in meaning, feeling, or tone. It

indicates complexity and the presence of fine distinctions

that can change the interpretation or understanding of

something.

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Parents - These are individuals who are responsible for

raising and caring for a child. This term typically refers

to biological parents, but it can also include adoptive

parents or legal guardians who take on the role of a child's

primary caregivers.

Risks - It is the potential for an adverse outcome or loss

resulting from uncertain events or conditions. It involves

the likelihood of an event occurring and the impact it would

have.

Social Media - This is refers to online platforms and apps

that enable users to create, share, and interact with

content and connect with others.